Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Thursday)

April 3, 2015

SERVICE & SACRIFICE

There are three great elements to this solemnity: The Eucharist, Service and Memory – specifically ritualistic memory.

As many of you know, while the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) have explicit references to the Last Supper and the command to “do this in memory of me” – John’s Gospel replaces that text with the passage we hear tonight about washing the feet of the disciples.

Thus, the Gospel of John, which is considered to be the most theologically advanced of all the Gospels, is telling us something very important: the Eucharist is not simply meant for consumption or adoration or devotion; it is meant press us into service.

But this is not just any kind of service – it service rooted in memory. Not only do we recall what Jesus did for his disciples, but Jesus recalls what God has done for God’s people as he gathers to celebrate the Passover.